He is Alive and at Work!!!

As I am preparing for Easter Sunday and my meeting…I am continually reminded of what HE has done for me and how He continues to bless me in the most amazing ways whether that be through the lessons he has taught me or through people He has brought into my life. I am so undeserving of all that He has so richly blessed me with. As I look back just over this last year of my life (not to mention the last 23+ years) I am simply in awe as He has continually proven Himself faithful when I have been so faithless. His ways are far better than my ways and His thoughts than my thoughts. He is mysterious and unpredictable yet He is Almighty and Sovereign!

Most of my Saturday has been spent thinking about the girls coming over tomorrow night and a creative way to share with them the new life that He offers us. So…today I went on a search for plants…I wanted something small, pretty, and spring looking for them to put in their dorm rooms. I wanted them to be able to look at it and remember the “new life” that is freely offered to us if only we will accept. All I could find were big potted plants that weren’t so “springy”. I have been kind of bummed about them but then while I took a walk to get a coke a few minutes ago (in my pig house shoes—I was so embarrassed) our Father spoke to me ever so clearly. The plants have red blooms all over them and to me…they look more like Christmas than Spring but He said “Lacey, not only are these plants to remind them of the ‘new life’ but these blooms are to remind them of the blood that was shed just for them”. Bam…right between the eyes! As I am typing this, He is speaking to me about what to share and how to share it…I’ve got to find a little hardware store tomorrow…my Easter lunch might have to wait until next year.

I had already invited three students to my house…two of whom I have been working with and who are very interested and one who is a family member. But all day long our Father has been impressing upon my heart that I need to invite another girl, Connie. I have not been listening to Him because I didn’t/don’t want to invite her, she is a member of the SU and in my eyes…especially right now…that is risky. But the more I fight Him the more He impresses it upon my heart so…I just invited her (as I have been typing this) and she is coming. There were four plants when I went to the store today and I bought all four of them…hoping one would be mine…doesn’t look like it will be any more!! :)

The girls are supposed to come about 5pm Sunday night (4am Eastern, 3am Central). If any of you happen to be up about that time or are woken up then, please get on your knees!! If not you can “think” throughout your Saturday. One of the girls, who I have been working with, just sent me a text message asking me what we talk about and what we say to each other on Easter…I told her we could talk about that tomorrow and she is excited! He is moving!!!
I hope and “think” that I will have a wonderful Easter story to share with you in the days to come!!!

He Is RISEN!!!!

My Wonderful Group!!

Lessons From Above

The Liberty group did an absolutely wonderful job last week. I was so blessed and privileged to have them come and work with me. I think that their being here did more good encouraging me than anything else. I grew closer to those students and their leader in 7 days than I have with those I have spent the last 7 months doing the same type of "work" with. I cannot remember the last time that I laughed as much as I did this past week. It was absolutely wonderful. My heart and soul are encouraged and even more charged for the next 3 1/2-4 months I have here. They built relationships with more of my students and helped the ones that I have formed to grow even stronger.

Our Father above is teaching me a great deal in every area of my life. One of the greatest lessons, which I think we all know but until we really experience both ways we don't understand the importance...being one with who we are ministering. These last seven months have been difficult for me in the sense that there has been no one here that I can "really" talk to. I have learned to rely on our Father above like never before...yes, I should rely on Him all the time and talk to him regularly which I did/do. But it takes on a new meaning when all around you are people who you may be like minded with but no one in whom you can truly confide in. I have a wonderful fiancé, wonderful parents and friends but it is very difficult for them to truly understand until they are here in the middle of it...it is difficult for me to even describe. Thankfully, there is One who is...there is One who understands it all and walks with me each day through all the muck, the mire, the frustrations and hurts and better yet, He is there to celebrate with me as students begin seeking and asking questions or when one comes unto Him. He is the greatest support that I have and I think for the first time in my life I have been able to truly rely on and trust in Him. It is so easy to rely on others and it is truly wonderful to have someone in the flesh to listen and to speak to you audibly, and to give you a hug but that is just a gift from above…it should not be the norm in our lives. Not until we begin to truly rely on Him and take Him as our best friend in the entire world will we begin to grow and minister to others as He desires us to.

What are your motives? Are you one with whom you are ministering? Are you relying on and trusting in Him with all of your heart, mind, and soul? Is He your best friend?

All that preaching to say that our Father gave me a great and wonderful gift when He gave me six new friends last week who were all on the same page in “the work”. I am so thankful.

Continue to think about all of us here and the work that is going one. As of now, I am planning to have a few students over Sunday evening for Easter dinner and sharing of the Easter story. I think we might dye some eggs and ice some Easter cookies for a little fun…in the midst of all that my goal is to share about the “new life”! I am a little nervous and have no clue as to how I will do it or what I will say. Think with me that He will speak through me and give me just the words to say. I am also searching for five Purpose Driven books written in Mandarin to begin a study with a few of my girls. As of now there are three that I am planning on having in my home each week…the number five is on my heart so I am searching for the other two that He would have me to invite. I am hoping to hear from a book store in HK within the next week about getting the books.

He is at work…